Slipper gives campaign sting

MEMBER for Fisher Peter Slipper has met with beekeepers in Canberra this week to discuss their campaign to secure government funds to fight the invading Asian Honeybee.

The road trip to the nation's capital was led by Maleny bee researcher Dr Max Whitten, who describes the Asian Honeybee as potentially devastating not only for the Australian honey industry, but for the agriculture and horticulture industries as well as the lucrative commercial pollination sector.

“Beekeepers across Australia are greatly concerned because this menace has the potential to impact on their industry and affect not only honey production but also the natural and vital pollination of other crops, fruits, vegetables and other plants,” Mr Slipper told Parliament.

“Bees are not only about honey, in fact, that is a relatively small part of what they do. They are a key part of the ecological network and play a vital role in the reproduction of plants everywhere. They need to be supported and assisted to ensure their population survives and thrives.”

“Without our bees our agriculture and horticulture industries would be much worse off and probably would risk complete collapse, and much of the pollination of our native plants would not occur."

The Asian Honeybee was first found in Australia in 2007 in a hive on a ship docked in Cairns. The exotic intruder is aggressive toward local European bees, forcefully takes over hives, is a carrier of disease and parasitic mites, and is unable to pollinate plants due to a short proboscis.

Mr Slipper discussed the Asian Honeybee threat with Dr Whitten and chairman of the Australian Honeybee Council Lindsay Bourke as well as honey producers and beekeepers.

The beekeepers took their concerns to Canberra where they met with Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Joe Ludwig to highlight the industry concerns and request government funds for an ongoing eradication programme.